The Columbus Telegram, January 11, 1918
DIED
HIGGINS--PLATTE CENTER. The funeral of Edmond Higgins, whose death occurred last Friday morning, was held Monday from St. Joseph's church, Rev. Father Laborius officiating.
A large procession of friends and relatives followed the body to its final resting place in St. Patrick's cemetery. The pall-bearers were: Mike Murphy, J. W. Rilley, D. P. Mahoney, T J. Cronin, James Foley and Charles Sandberg. Those from a distance attending the services were: Mrs. Godsel and son, William, of Galesburg, Ill.; Mrs. Alfons an Contreu, of Kewanee, Ill.; Mrs. George Weber, of Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Naylon and William Dugan, of Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. John Gibbon and daughter, of Columbus, John Dugan, of O'Connor, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Dugan and sons, Ed and Raymond, Mrs. Elizabeth Dugan, and Mrs. M. Harryhill, of Primrose; Mrs. Carey and son, Peter, of North Bend. A number of the Knights of Columbus, of Columbus, were present. Mr. Higgins being a member of the order.
[...and...]
One of the largest funerals ever held at Platte Center was that of the late Edmond Higgins which was held at the Catholic church there Monday forenoon at 10 o'clock. The church could no accommodate all the friends who gathered for the last rites, and many of them could not gain entrance for the services. The procession of automobiles which followed the body to its resting place in the parish cemetery was more than a mile long. Among Mr. Higgins' friends from Columbus who attended the services were Mark Burke, M. E. Helms, Frank Gerharz, Dr. F. H. Morrow, C J. Carrig, D. C. Kavanaugh, J. B. Kyle and daughter, Miss Mary Kyle, G. W. Phillips, Patrick Powers.
The Columbus Telegram, October 18, 1918, pg 3, col 4
DIED
SMITH--[February 3, 1836 - October 12, 1918]
Henry William Smith, a pioneer of Colfax county, died at Grand Island, Saturday morning, October 12. The remains were brought to this city, and the funeral services held from the residence of his daughter, Mrs. John Brock at ten o'clock Tuesday morning. Rev. W. A. Albright officiated at the services. The deceased was aged 82 years, 8 months and 10 days, having been born in Germany on February 3, 1836. At the age of three years he came with his parents to America, settling at Johnstown, Pa. On November 19, 1857, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Gern, who passed away June 16, 1914. Later he was married to Mary Bennett. In 1863 he volunteered in the 93rd Pennsylvania infantry, and served in the union army to the close of the war. In 1867 he and his family moved to a farm near Schuyler, Nebr., where they lived until 1909. Retiring from farm life at that time he moved to Grand Island, where he died. He is survived by a wife, eleven children, forty grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and one sister. These survivors are: Charles Smith and Mrs. Henry Hoskins, North Platte; Mrs. John Brock, Jacob Smith, Mrs. J. J. Hoarn, Columbus; Mrs. Frank Byles, Sunnyside; Daniel Smith, Seattle, Wash.
[Submitted by Kenny Smith]
The Columbus Telegram, November 1, 1918
DIED
HEIBEL--Mrs. Anna Heibel, [born: Angelika Reitz] one of Platte county's oldest residents, passed away at the home of her son, Julius, eight miles northeast of Columbus, yesterday afternoon at 3:20 o'clock. She was 94 years old. Though she had been in feeble health for some years because of her unusually advanced age, her final illness was of less than twenty-four hours duration. Mrs. Heibel was one of the pioneer settlers in Bismark township, having homesteaded there with her husband, Valentine Heibel, forty-nine years ago and since that time she has made her home with her son, Julius. Mrs. Heibel leaves three sons and one daughter: Siebert, Julius and John Heibel and Mrs. John Rickert. Though definite funeral arrangements had not been made at the time The Telegram went to press this morning, the service will probably be conducted by Rev. Kuehnert at the home Sunday.
The Columbus Telegram, November 8, 1918
DIED
LUCHSINGER--Pneumonia, following an attack of influenza, caused the death last Tuesday afternoon of Frank Luchsinger, a progressive young farmer residing on the Luchsinger farm, seven miles north of Columbus. Mr. Luchsinger thought he had recovered from the original ailment, and endeavored to resume his work in the field. During the one day in which he husked corn he contracted a severe cold, and from that pneumonia developed. He was ill about two weeks. Mr. Luchsinger was a little past thirty-three years old. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Franz Luchsinger. His father died last February, but his mother resides in Columbus. The members of the bereaved family are the widow and five children. Mrs. Luchsinger formerly was Miss Malinda Schmol, of East Lynne, Mo. Other surviving relatives are two brothers and four sisters, namely: Peter Luchsinger, Henry Luchsinger, Mrs. Matt Schmid, and Mrs. Charles Welch, who reside near Columbus; Mrs. John Klug, Richland; Mrs. Henry Heitz, Pleasant Hill, Mo. The funeral of Mr. Luchsinger will be conducted at his late home this afternoon at 1 o'clock by Rev. R. Neumarker. Burial will be in Columbus cemetery.
The Columbus Telegram, December 20, 1918
MARRIED
EILERS-MOELLER--Miss Bertha Moeller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Moeller, residing on East Eighth street, and Henry Eilers, of Platte Center, were united in marriage Wednesday morning by Rev. R. Neumarker at the German Reform church. After the ceremony a wedding dinner was served at the bride's home. Mr. Eilers is a prosperous young farmer from the Platte Center neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Eilers will reside on one of his farms near Madison.DIED
HEMBD--Within four days after the death of his wife, Herman Hembd passed away at the family home half a mile south of Creston at 11:45 p.m. Saturday. His death, like that of Mrs. Hembd, was caused by influenza and pnuemonia, with which he had been ill two weeks, and the passing of his life-mate was a shock that hastened the end.
Particularly sad is the tragedy wrought by the epidemic in the Hembd home, as it took the father and mother from a family of three lovely little children--Mildred, aged 5 years; Bernice, 4 years, and Elva, 13 months. Mildred and Bernice and their grandmother, Mrs. Julius Hembd, who made her home with them, have all been ill with the flu, but have now recovered.
Mr. Hembd was a native of Platte county, having been born on the old family homestead in Sherman township June 6, 1888. Six years ago--April 10, 1912--he married Miss Ida Asche, who was also a member of a pioneer family of the county, and whose death was reported in The Telegram last week. Besides his mother and his three children, he leaves three sisters, Mrs. George Michaelsen and Mrs. Ben Fix, residing north and northeast of Columbus, and Mrs. Otto Lueke, of Columbus.
The funeral of Mrs. Hembd was held at the family home last Friday, and that of Mr. Hembd, Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. Holm conducted both services. Burial was made in the Creston cemetery.PEARSE--Miss Ruth Pearse, teacher in district no. 26, north of Genoa, passed away last Saturday, according to word received by County Superintendent Fred S. Lecron. She was the first Platte county teacher to succumb to the influenza epidemic. Miss Pearse was a sister of Dan Pearse, of Woodville township, and was a member of a family long prominent in that part of the county. She taught in district No. 26 in 1914 and 1915, and then spent two years in school at Lincoln where her mother now resides. She resumed her former position when school opened last fall. Miss Pearse was an exceptionally efficient teacher, and was very popular in the district.
BRIAN--An illness of a week's duration in which influenza developed into pneumonia caused the death of Mrs. Vivian Brian at her home on Ninteenth street yesterday morning at 3:45 o'clock. Not until Wednesday evening did those near her realize that her condition was so critical. As Elizabeth E. Jones, Mrs. Brian was born in Buffalo, Wyo., March 31, 1890. After attending the public schools in Buffalo she went to Fremont, where she enrolled at Fremont college. She graduated from the scientific course there in 1912, and then taught a year in a rural school in Madison county. While attending Fremont college she met Mr. Brian, who was also a student there, and the romance began which culminated in their marriage at Fremont May 21, 1913. They made their home on a farm in Polk county seven miles southwest of Columbus two years and then moved into the city when Mr. Brian became an auctioneer. Seeing always the bright things in life, Mrs. Brian had a happy faculty of creating an atmosphere of sunshine and good cheer in the home and was endowed with attributes of character that fitted her peculiarly well for wife and motherhood. She was a member of the Eastern Star, White Shrine, and also of the Congregational church. Besides her husband, she leaves a little son, Herbert, 22 months old; her father, Frank Jones, sr., now in Alaska, and two brothers, Frank Jones, jr., in Alaska, and Corporal Thomas Jones, stationed at Camp Grant, Ill. Funeral services had not been completed this morning pending receipt of word from Corporal Jones.
ECHOLS--Three times in the short span of four years she stood by the bedside of a dearly loved son stricken in the prime of young manhood. Three times, powerless to stay the hand of fate, she watched the spark of life grow dim and finally flicker out. Each successive invasion of death into the family circle brought a new and poignant grief, until the cross of sorrow became too heavy for her mother-heart to bear, and it broke under the strain. She went to join her boys in the life beyond the grave.
Such were the circumstances attending the passing from the earth-life of Mrs. Sarah E. Echols, wife of J.C. Echols, prominent Columbus business man, last Saturday morning at 5:15 o'clock. Four years ago they laid to sepulchre her eldest son, Dan. Last year her youngest son, Francis, passed to the life eternal. A month ago she was summoned to the death-bed of her second son, and last remaining boy, Phil, in Cheyenne, Wyo. She returned home with a broken heart, in a state of utter collapse, from which she could not rally. Her death came at a time when her only daughter, Mrs. S.L. Whitney, was just recovering from a critical attack of influenza and pneumonia.
As Sarah E. Hudson, Mrs. Echols was born in Genoa, Nebr., April 28, 1863. Her parents, numbered among the very earliest pioneers of Platte county, had moved from Columbus to Genoa a few months before her birth, and when she was about a year old they returned to this city. She received her education in the public schools of Columbus. Her marriage to J.C. Echols took place January 23, 1884. Three sons and one daughter were born to them, of whom only the daughter, Mrs. S.L. Whitney, remains to share with the husband and father the sorrow of her going.
Many years ago Mrs. Echols became a member of the Methodist church. It was only natural that she should take an active interest in promoting its Christian work, because her own character was the personification of all the Christian virtues. In her life, her husband and children found an exemplification of all that is pure and noble in motherhood.
Mrs. Echols was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, and after the outbreak of the war, was active in Red Cross work.
Besides her husband and daughter, she leaves four sisters, Mrs. Eva Pollock, of Columbus and Omaha; Mrs. Richard Jenkinson and Mrs. J.H. Galley, of Columbus, and Mrs. W.H. Winterbotham, of Julesburg, Colo.; one brother, Horace Hudson, of Julesburg, and three grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at the family home Sunday at 3:30 p.m., Rev. W.A. Albright, pastor of the Methodist church, officiating. The music service was sung by a quartet composed of Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Erskine, Mrs. Charles Hirsbrunner and C.J. Fennel, with Mrs. Wood Smith at the piano. The bearers were Henry Ragatz sr., Theodore Friedhof, Frank N. Stevenson, C.A. Linstrum, J.H. Parker, and J.A. Reece. Relatives and friends in attendance from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. Winterbotham and Mr. Hudson, from Julesburg; Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Waterhouse and daughter, Mrs. Eula Echols, of Fremont; Mr. and Mrs. Louis Zinnecker, of David City.GILLISPIE--Walter Gillispie, oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Marion Gillispie, passed away last Sunday at the home of his parents following an attack of the influenza which developed into pneumonia. He was thirty-two years of age. Walter came to Monroe with his parents from Scotia about sixteen years ago and has lived here continually ever since. He was a member of the local Modern Woodmen lodge and was an industrious young fellow. His love for stock made him very valuable to his employer, George Emerson, being entrusted with all the feeding at that establishment. He leaves to mourn his departure his parents, two brothers, who are both in service, James being somewhere in France; four sisters, Mrs. Edith Kaus, Mrs. James Farrar, Mrs. Everett Gillipsie and Miss Mary Gillispie. [Monroe.]
HOPPOCK; DURHAM--This community was shocked to learn of the death of Louis Hoppock, of Fullerton, and Harry Durham, of Clark, both young men passing away the same day. Both were former residents here. Louis was born here and Mr. Durham was but a youth when he came here. Their many friends grieve their departure.
WAGNER--Word reached here last week that Anton Wagner, former Platte county boy, had died at his home in Albuquerque, N.M., from influenza and that his wife was seriously ill with the same disease. A later message brought the sad word Monday tht Mrs. Wagner had passed away Sunday evening, leaving a baby boy just a week old.
Mr. Wagner was very well known here, having been born on the farm half a mile east of town July 28, 1885. He received his early education at the St. Bernard Catholic school. At the age of 20, he left the farm and went to Quincy, Ill., where he took the commercial course at the St. Francis college. A year later he entered Creighton university at Omaha and took the classical course. During his school year he took an active interest in athletics, especially foot ball. In 1908 he went to St. Louis university and took up the study of medicine. It was there he was married to Miss Agnes Butler, of St. Louis, February 5, 1914. To them were born three sons--Anton and Edward, who passed away in infancy, and a little son born a week before the parents' death. Mr. Wagner leaves also his aged parents, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Wagner, of Humphrey; four sisters, and four brothers--Mrs. Henry Mosike, of St. Bernard; Mrs. Mike Gasper, of Lindsay; Mrs. Peter Gasper, of Rushville; Miss Pauline Wagner, at home Math Wagner, of Sterling, Colo.; Frank and Peter, of this place.
The funeral will be held Friday morning at St. Louis, Mo., where they will be laid to rest in a Catholic cemetery beside their little sons who died in infancy. A requiem high mass will be held for them in the St. Bernard church Friday morning. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the grieving relatives. [St. Bernard.]DROZD--Mrs. Katherine Drozd, who has been ill the past year suffering with a cancerous growth; died from its effects at her home three miles northwest of Duncan Tuesday noon. Mrs. Drozd was born in Galicia, Poland, seventy-two years ago and came with her husband to America about the year 1878. When death came she was surrounded by her four children who reside in this county. They are, Mrs. Frank Wandro, of Platte Center, Mrs. Victoria Placzek, of Silver Creek, and two sons, Stanislaus and John, residing at home. Funeral services were held Thursday morning at 9 o'clock at St. Stanislaus, Rev. Father Flavius officiating. Burial was made in the parish cemetery. [Duncan.]
MEYER--A cloak of sadness fell over this community last Friday when the news reached here that Theodore Meyer had passed to his heavenly reward. Mr. Meyer had been ill only a few days and was taken to St. Mary's hospital, in Columbus, for treatment. He was a quiet old gentleman, devoted to his family and ready at all times to show kindness to those about him. Four sons and one daughter are left to mourn his loss. They are, Mrs. H. Kollman, residing in Minnesota, Henry Meyer, of Omaha, Mike, August and John, all of this place. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday morning at St. Francis church and interment was made in the parish cemetery. Mrs. Kollman was unable to be present on account of sickness in her home. [Humphrey.]
[...and...]
Theodore Meyer, a resident of Platte county more than thirty-five years, passed away at St. Mary's hospital last Friday evening, his death being due to asthma and complications. He had been taken to the hospital for medical attention the preceding Monday. Mr. Meyer was born in Germany 76 years ago. He located on a farm near Humphrey thirty-five or forty years ago and resided there until 1910 when he retired and moved to Columbus, establishing a home on east Ninth street. Three years later he returned to Humphrey, and since that time has been making his home with his sons there. His wife passed away four years ago. Surviving members of the family are his sons, Henry, of Omaha, August, John and Michael, residing near Humphrey, and his daughter, Mrs. Anna Kuhlmann, of Melrose, Minn. Funeral services were held at the Catholic church at Humphrey Tuesday.BACKES--After an illness of about two weeks, John J. Backes passed away at his home one-half mile south of Lindsay last Friday. Pneumonia, following an attack of Spanish influenza, caused his death. He was twenty-eight years of age and grew to manhood in the Linday neighborhood. He received his early education at the parochial schools of this place and after completing a business course at the Fremont Normal, he became associated with his brother, Henry, in the nursery business at Humphrey, Nebr. He returned to Lindsay about six years ago and located on his farm south of town where he resided until his death. On November 12, 1912, he married Miss Clara Herbes. Two children were born to them, Kathleen, aged five, and Bernandette, aged three. His honest and industrious habits won for him the high esteem in which he was held by the citizens of the community in which he lived. Funeral services were conducted Monday morning at 9 o'clock at the Holy Family chruch by Rev. Fr. Columban. The pall bearers were Pat Sweeney, William Gogan, Henry Albright, Dominic Roufs, Tony Diederich and William Henggeler. Besides his grief stricken young wife and two little daughters, he is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Backes, of this place, three brothers, Henry, residing at Humphrey, Matt. of St. Bernard, and Peter, jr. residing near Lindsay; five sisters Mrs. Lena Bellerbeck and Mrs. Henry Bellerbeck, of Osmond, Nebr., Mrs. Herman Huseman, residing in Texas, Mrs. Louis Dice of South Dakota, and Miss Margaret, who is serving a novitiate to the Sisterhood at a Mother house in Manitowoc, Wis. [Lindsay.]
NIENABER--Bernard, the five year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Nienaber, died at the family home near Lindsay last Sunday afternoon. The little fellow was stricken with the Spanish influenza and was sick but a few days. The funeral was conducted Tuesday morning at the Holy Family church. Harry Ramaekers, Raymond Schaefer, Emil Behrens and Joseph Bates acted as pall bearers. [Lindsay.]
ZUMBRUNN--The cable brought last Monday from far away Switzerland intelligence of the death of Hans Zumbrunn, only brother of Chris Zumbrunn, of this city. In 1874 the deceased came to this country with three brothers, two of whom now deceased, and located on a homestead in Grand Prairie township. There he remained until some ten years ago, when he retired from active management of his farm, and came to Columbus to make his home. About five years ago he returned to Switzerland, and soon afterwards was united in marriage with a lady of that republic. The death message was a severe shock to Mr. Chris Zumbrunn, who had been contemplating a visit to his brother in Switzerland soon after the war.
SAUNDERS--Mrs. Marguerite Keating Saunders, daughter of John Keating, of Denver, passed away at her home there Wednesday, according to a message received by her grandmother, Mrs. Ellen Keating, and her aunts, Mrs. Agnes Hart and Mrs. M.J. Flynn. Mrs. Saunders was a former Columbus girl, having been born here December 21, 1895. The family moved to Denver seventeen years ago. A few years ago she returned here to attend the Columbus high school, making her home with her grandmother for two years. She later graduated from the Denver high school. July 15, 1917, she was married to Howard Saunders, a young business man in Denver. He entered the army last July, and Mrs. Saunders accompanied him to Vancouver barracks, Washington, returning only recently to Denver. Her death was due to pneumonia, developing from influenza. Mrs. Saunders leaves her husband, father, step-mother, two sisters, Madeline and Julia Keating and two brothers, Alphonse, who is in France, and John, jr. Funeral services will be held in Denver today. Relatives here were unable to attend the funeral.